Accutane For Mild Acne: All You Need To Know
Have you ever struggled with acne? Acne can be compared to a plastic surgery gone wrong, one that you never asked for, and it makes you do things. At first, when its mild, youre like, okay, I got this, everyone has acne once in a while, right? But then you try something, and it doesnt work. Then you try another treatment, but that one doesnt work either. Frustration is just the beginning.
Slowly, but surely, anxiety sets in. You try the third treatment and… Nothing. Your panic is now official, and your cheerful mood is quietly replaced by a pervasive sense of quiet desperation. Are you always going to be like that? You begin to hate the person in the mirror.
This damaging thought process is exactly when acne is at its most dangerous. While rashes, redness, and pimples may come and go, the psychological traumas that acne inflicts on a person can outlast any severe physical scars on the surface of the skin. It comes as no surprise that people who struggle with acne are often overcome with desperation and fear, and slowly but surely fall prey to a number of inappropriate treatments and pseudo-science.
No matter if its something serious, or just a case of mild acne, people eventually become desperate and reach out for any treatment under the sky – and that includes ineffective, ludicrous and even dangerous treatments.
How Do You Know You Have Mild Rosacea
For many people, mild rosacea appears as a red flush beneath the skin. For others, it manifests as pimples and pustules. If you have mild rosacea, your symptoms may be intermittent, can fluctuate or be barely noticeable. Because of this, mild rosacea can be difficult to diagnose.
To complicate the diagnostic process, mild rosacea is often confused with other conditions that cause persistent redness or facial flushing. Some of these conditions include acne, lupus, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and steroid-induced acne.
Because rosacea symptoms can be attributed to so many skin conditions, its not possible to self-diagnose. If you suspect you may have rosacea, see a dermatologist as soon as possible to be properly diagnosed so that you can begin an appropriate treatment regimen.
What Is Acne And Who Gets It
Acne is a common skin condition that causes black, white or red spots, usually on the face. It can also affect the back and the top of the chest.
Most people with acne are aged between 12 and 25 years but some older people are affected. Boys are more commonly affected than girls. Acne usually affects the face but may also affect the back, neck and chest.
About 8 in 10 teenagers develop some degree of acne. Often it is mild. However, it is estimated that about 3 in 10 teenagers have severe acne bad enough to need treatment to prevent scarring. Untreated acne usually lasts about 4-5 years before settling by itself.
This shows typical, mild acne on the forehead that almost all teenagers will get at some point. This usually fades with time, or responds well to a simple cream like benzoyl peroxide .
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Powerful Home Remedies For Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 85% of young adults .
Conventional acne treatments like salicylic acid, niacinamide, or benzoyl peroxide are proven to be the most effective acne solutions, but they can be expensive and have undesirable side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation.
This has prompted many people to look into remedies to cure acne naturally at home. In fact, one study found that 77% of acne patients had tried alternative acne treatments .
Many home remedies lack scientific backing, and further research on their effectiveness is needed. If youre looking for alternative treatments, though, there are still options you can try.
This article explores 13 popular home remedies for acne.
Normal Skin And Acne Skin
This bulge under the skin causes a spot . Tiny bugs, or bacteria, can then grow inside the blocked hair follicle and make the spot go red and sore.
So the two things that cause acne are:
a) A blocked pore or hair follicle and/or
b) Infection at the bottom of the blockage.
You can understand now that the treatments for acne aim to:
a) Unblock the pores or hair follicles on your skin and/or
b) Kill any infection inside.
This photo shows blackheads on someone’s nose. Blackheads are a blocked pore, with dead skin cells gathered up inside. Despite popular belief, the black bit is not actually dirt: it’s just dead skin cells gathered up, made to look dark by the pigment in skin, called melanin.
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Can Acne Be Prevented
Preventing acne is difficult if not impossible during normal hormonal changes. But some things can help:
- Wash your face daily with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
- Routinely use moisturizer.
- You dont have to stop using makeup, but try to use non-comedogenic products and remove makeup at the end of each day.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
Mild Rosacea: What It Is How To Identify It And How To Treat It
- Rosacea is a skin condition that is graded as mild, moderate or severe
- Anyone at any age can develop rosacea but it is most common in women
- Triggers include spicy foods, hot beverages, weather extremes and emotional stress
- Rosacea is not curable but symptoms can be managed through medical care and the right combination of treatments
Mild rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that usually affects the face and includes flare-ups of redness, inflammation and burning, bumps and swelling. Rosacea exists on a spectrum and may be related to immune system issues.
There is no cure for rosacea, but it is highly manageable when treatment is started early.
Doing so will help prevent damage to the skin and other related complications untreated rosacea can lead to progressively worse symptoms.
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How Long Does It Take To See Clearer Skin
When starting a new mild acne treatment regimen, allow up to four weeks for the products to start making a difference in your complexion. Although it can be quicker, it can take up to six months to see the full effects of a new treatment. Its also important to follow the skin care directions from your dermatologist. While skin care may seem like common sense, some acne treatments can leave your skin more susceptible to sunburn and irritation.
If youre not seeing the results you want from your current treatment or your acne is bothersome or makes you unhappy, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations. You can also to see whats new in the world of dermatology.
Isotretinoin And Mood Changes
There have been reports of people experiencing mood changes while taking isotretinoin.
There’s no evidence that these mood changes were the result of the medication.
But as a precaution, contact your GP immediately if you:
- feel depressed
Several treatments for acne don’t involve medication.
These include:
- comedone extractor â a small pen-shaped instrument that can be used to clean out blackheads and whiteheads
- chemical peels â where a chemical solution is applied to the face, causing the skin to peel off and new skin to replace it
But these treatments may not work and can’t be routinely recommended.
Recommended Reading: What Can Cause Acne On Forehead
What Is Mild Rosacea
When rosacea is diagnosed, its rated as either mild, moderate or severe. Mild rosacea usually includes many of the same symptoms as moderate or severe cases, but symptoms are less severe.
The subtypes of rosacea that are part of the mild category include acne rosacea , erythematotelangiectatic rosacea , and ocular rosacea. Each of these subtypes can manifest in a mild form, and symptoms from each subtype can overlap.
How To Prevent Mild Acne
After youve treated your mild acne, its important to maintain good skin care habits to stop new breakouts from occurring. Try to follow the tips listed below:
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Keep using your treatment, even as your skin clears. Acne treatments require time to work. It may take three to four months for your acne to clear. For optimal results, its important to keep using your acne treatment even after you notice improvements.
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Apply topical acne treatments to your entire face. Instead of just treating the areas of your skin with acne, make sure to apply your topical acne treatment to your entire face to prevent new breakouts from occurring.
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Use non-comedogenic makeup. Try to only apply makeup and skin care products that are labeled non-comedogenic or wont clog pores. These are less likely to make your skin oily and cause acne breakouts.
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Wash your face twice a day. Washing your face helps to clean away sebum, sweat and other substances that can cause or worsen acne. Try to wash your face two times a day, as well as after exercising.When you wash your face, apply products carefully using your fingertips. Make sure not to scrub your face, as this can cause irritation and worsen acne breakouts.
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If you have oily hair, wash it regularly with shampoo. Oil from your hair can make its way onto your face, potentially causing acne breakouts. Make sure to wash your hair on a regular basis, especially if its oily.
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How Can I Treat Mild Acne
Mild cases of acne, such as small red bumps or pustules that typically occur on the face or sometimes the rest of the body , are typically handled with the use of over-the-counter products. Local drugstores have a wide range of topical creams that can be used daily to manage mild acne and keep pimples from popping up. However, it can be overwhelming, and many patients are unsure of the products they should be using to manage acne while taking care of their skins health and appearance. Below are a few products to look for:
- Mild, gentle cleansers formulated for patients with acne-prone skin
- A water-based moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and balance skin oils
- Topical creams with active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid
- Masks and medications that can be used for routine treatment or spot treatment
With over-the-counter products, many patients have the opportunity to manage their acne at home with affordable solutions. However, if acne continues to persist, or worsens, it may be time to talk to a professional. Dr. Francisco Kerdel and his team at the Florida Academic Dermatology Center strongly encourage patients in the community to connect with him and his staff for an initial evaluation and determine if more prescription-strength products can help.
Your Doctor Approves Accutane Treatment What Happens Next
Taking accutane is a complicated process, with many milestones and controls along the way. Often, treatment begins with a lower dose, which increases over the following few weeks. Treatment can vary, but it takes anywhere from 16 to 20 weeks, or four to five – even six months. During this time accutane / isotretinoin is usually taken in the form of a pill, once every day, for the entire length of the treatment period.
The treatment is long because accutane / isotretinoin works at the deep, cellular level. It takes time for the compound to reach the targeted skin cells, then more time to actually produce changes in the DNA, and then finally, even more time for the cells to regenerate, follow the new instructions and for the final effects to become visible.
Taking accutane / isotretinoin is no joke. The first couple of months can be very discouraging, however, since its usually during this time that the acne actually becomes worse. Sometimes even radically so – the redness intensifies, the swelling increases, the pain becomes more intense.
You need to constantly remind yourself that this is normal. This worsening of the acne inflammation is actually proof that changes are underway, that the treatment is working. However, one must remain persistent and carry on with the treatment until it runs its course. During this time, you will have to do regular medical checks and report any adverse side-effects to your doctor and dermatologist.
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Treatments That Dont Need A Prescription
If you have mild acne, your pharmacist can help you choose an acne wash or cleanser, a lotion or cream with ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or glycolic acid that can treat the condition. Use these products right across the area where there is acne, not just on the individual spots. For example, if you have acne on your neck, you should wash your whole neck with the product. If these treatments make your skin feel irritated or dry, try using them less often.
Other treatments can help with mild acne, such as light microdermabrasion, chemical peels and light diathermy. They may need to be repeated regularly and are not suitable for people with severe acne.
Comedogenic Skin Care Products
Comedogenic substances are known to have an impact on acne development. These products have a tendency to block pores which can lead to breakouts.
In one small study examining the potential of cocoa butter to clog pores, researchers found a significantly larger number and greater size of microcomedones in participants who had applied the butter.
Topping the list of substances to avoid are cocoa butter and beeswax, and oils such as coconut, avocado, almond and soybean.
Oily ingredients are not the only culprits when examining potential clog-inducing substances. Emulsifying agents found in cosmetics and facial washes are also responsible, and include hexadecyl, oleyl and isocetyl alcohol.
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Identifying And Treating Mild Acne
Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor.
Although there isn’t a uniform way to categorize acne most people, including dermatologists, classify acne as mild, moderate, or severe. It’s important to have a basic idea of where your acne falls on this scale because it gives you a good idea on where to start with treatment.
How To Help Reduce Acne Scars
Severe types of acne can sometimes result in scarring. It happens when the skin is damaged after a spot bursts or is squeezed.
Most treatment to help reduce the appearance of acne scars is considered cosmetic surgery and isnt available on the NHS, but procedures include dermabrasion and laser treatment. To help prevent scarring, try to avoid squeezing or picking at any existing spots.
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Apply Green Tea To Your Skin
Green tea is very high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health.
It may also help reduce acne. This is likely because the polyphenols in green tea help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne .
There isnt much research exploring the benefits of drinking green tea when it comes to acne, and more studies are needed.
In one small study with 80 women, participants took 1,500 mg of green tea extract daily for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, women who took the extract had less acne on their noses, chins, and around their mouths .
Research has also found that drinking green tea may lower blood sugar and insulin levels, which are factors that can contribute to the development of acne .
Many studies also indicate that applying green tea directly to the skin may help with acne.
Research shows that the main antioxidant in green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces sebum production, fights inflammation, and inhibits the growth of P. acnes in individuals with acne-prone skin .
Multiple studies have found that applying green tea extract to the skin significantly reduces sebum production and pimples in those with acne .
You can buy creams and lotions that contain green tea, but its just as easy to make your own mixture at home.
How To Make A Honey And Cinnamon Mask
Summary
Honey and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. They may help reduce acne, but more studies are needed.
Tea tree oil is an essential oil thats extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia.
Its well known for its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation (
Summary
Tea tree oil has strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying it to the skin may reduce acne.
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Acne Treatments That Really Work According To Dermatologists
When it comes to finding the right acne treatments, there are a million products out thereand theyre not all created equal. From acne washes to creams and spot treatments, the options can be overwhelming, making it impossible to tell which is truly the best acne treatment for you.
Even more frustrating? The fact that were still dealing with acne at all. Seriously, we thought the breakouts would be over soon after AP Calculus. But adult acne is a thing, and its actually something that can affect people in their 20s and 30s, and even well past their 50s.
And if you thought blackheads and whiteheads were annoying, the deep painful pimples that often pop up in adult acne are much more aggravatingand harder to get rid of. We talked to dermatologists to find out which acne treatments are the most effective on all types of pimples. Keep reading to learn what causes acne in the first place, plus the best acne treatments and acne medications worth spending your hard-earned dollars on.
